People v. Thomas

Defendant, Demetrius Thomas, shot and killed Richard Hillsberg while the two were in the midst of a struggle in an alley behind a tavern. At his bench trial, he maintained that he acted in self-defense. The court found that his fear for his safety, although genuine, was unreasonable; it therefore found him guilty of second-degree murder. Due to two earlier felony convictions, defendant was sentenced for this Class 1 offense within the range provided for Class X crimes. He accordingly received a sentence of 15 years.

At trial, the State presented the testimony of Michael McWherter, who stated…